Flame simulating assembly and components therefor

Abstract

An electric fireplace is provided having an improved flame simulating apparatus. The flame simulating apparatus includes a light source, a flame effect element for transmitting light from the light source to produce a flame effect, and a flicker element having colored reflective strips for reflecting light for subsequent transmission by the flame effect element. A screen having a partially reflecting surface and a diffusing surface is positioned with the flame effect element extending proximate to the diffusing surface. A fuel bed is positioned immediately adjacent to the partially reflecting surface of the screen to produce an image of the fuel bed on the screen with the image of moving flames appearing to emanate between the fuel bed and its reflected image.

We claim: 
     
       1. A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source;   a light diffusing screen; and   a flame effect element formed of a single sheet of a substantially opaque material defining a plurality of openings for facilitating the passage of light from said light source through said sheet to said screen to produce a moving flame effect;   at least one flicker element having at least one reflective surface said flicker element being located in said assembly a position that permits light from said light source to reflect from said at least one reflective surface through said openings in said flame effect element onto said screen to produce a flame effect;   means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen; and   an adjustment knob protruding from a housing for said assembly, said knob being connected to said flame effect element, and said knob being lockable into one of a plurality of positions.   
     
     
       2. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said openings comprise a plurality of slits that are elongate in a vertical direction. 
     
     
       3. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein said slits include longer slits located at a lower end of said sheet and smaller slits located at an upper end of said sheet. 
     
     
       4. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said flame effect element extends generally parallel to said screen. 
     
     
       5. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said knob has a plurality of teeth for lockably engaging said housing in one of said positions. 
     
     
       6. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said screen has a partially reflecting surface opposing a diffusing surface, and further comprising a fuel bed positioned adjacent to said partially reflecting surface. 
     
     
       7. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein said partially reflecting surface of said screen has a substantially non-reflective matte finish at its upper end and a reflective finish at its lower end. 
     
     
       8. A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source;   a subatantially rigid flame effect element formed of a single sheet of a substantially opaque material sized to extend substantially fully across an area where a flame effect is desired, said sheet defining a plurality of openings for facilitating the passage of light from said light source to produce a moving flame effect;   at least one flicker element having at least one reflective surface for reflecting light from said light source through said flame effect element;   a transparent screen having a diffusing surface, said flame effect element extending proximate to said diffusing surface wherein said transmitted light produces an image on the screen which resembles moving flames;   means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen; and   an adjustment knob protruding from a housing for said assembly, said knob being connected to said flame effect element, said knob being lockable into one of a plurality of positions.   
     
     
       9. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said flame effect element is substantially rigid. 
     
     
       10. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said flame effect element extends generally parallel to said screen. 
     
     
       11. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said knob has a plurality of teeth. 
     
     
       12. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said screen has a partially reflecting surface opposing said diffusing surface, and further comprising a fuel bed positioned adjacent to said partially reflecting surface. 
     
     
       13. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 12, wherein said partially reflecting surface of said screen has a substantially non-reflective matte finish at its upper end and a reflective finish at its lower end. 
     
     
       14. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein said openings comprise a plurality of slits that are elongate in a vertical direction. 
     
     
       15. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 14, wherein said slits include longer slits located at a lower end of said sheet and smaller slits located at an upper end of said sheet. 
     
     
       16. A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source;   light diffusing screen;   a blower for producing an airflow;   a single sheet of a substantially opaque material sized to cover substantially all of a surface of said screen, said sheet being sufficiently lightweight and flexible to billow or ripple in response to said airflow, said sheet being located proximate to said screen without contacting said screen when moved by said airflow;   a plurality of light passages defined in said sheet for facilitating the passage of light from said light source through said sheet to said screen to produce a moving flame effect;   a flicker element having at least one reflective surface, said flicker element being rotatable about a generally horizontal axis and being located in said assembly at a position to facilitate light from said light source to reflect from said at one reflective surface through passages in said sheet to said screen; and   means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen.   
     
     
       17. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 16, wherein said passages comprise a plurality of slits that are elongate in a vertical direction. 
     
     
       18. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 17, wherein said slits include longer slits located at a lower end of said sheet and smaller slits located at an upper end of said sheet. 
     
     
       19. A flame simulating assembly comprising: a light source;   a light diffusing screen;   a flame effect element formed of a single sheet of a substantially opaque material defining a plurality of light passages for facilitating the passage of light through said sheet to said screen to produce a moving flame effect, said sheet being sufficiently lightweight and flexible to billow or ripple in response to an airflow, and said sheet being located proximate to said screen without contacting said screen when moved by said airflow;   means for producing an airflow for moving said sheet;   a flicker element having at least one reflective surface, said flicker element being rotatable about a generally horizontal axis and being located in said assembly at a position to facilitate light from said light source to reflect from said at one reflective surface through passages in said sheet to said screen; and   means for moving said flicker element relative to said screen.   
     
     
       20. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 19, wherein said passages comprise a plurality of slits that are elongate in a vertical direction. 
     
     
       21. A flame simulating assembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein said slits include longer slits located at a lower end of said sheet and smaller slits located at an upper end of said sheet.